If you found a lost dog, would you know what to do? It can feel overwhelming to find an unaccompanied dog. So if you find a dog, here are our tips to keep that dog safe and maybe even reunite them with their family.
1. Check for Identification
- Start by examining the dog for any identification tags on its collar.
- Look for contact information such as a phone number or address.
- If there are no tags, take the dog to a nearby veterinarian or animal shelter for a microchip scan.
- A microchip contains the owner’s contact details and significantly increases the chances of a reunion.
2. What To Do with the Dog
- Consider your capacity and comfort level in caring for the dog temporarily.
- If you’re willing and able to foster the dog, ensure you have the necessary resources.
- Alternatively, contact your local animal control or humane society for assistance in finding the dog’s family.
3. Don’t Assume the Dog is Abandoned
- It’s important to make every possible attempt to find the home of a lost dog.
- One mistake people often make is assuming that they aren’t loved if a dog gets lost. A found dog might look skinny and dirty, and people understandably assume they don’t have a loving home, but that often isn’t the case.
- Always make every possible effort to find out if a dog you find in a loving family is worried sick and looking for them. Being lost is stressful for dogs.
- When lost dogs aren’t receiving love, grooming, medication (if they regularly take any), or meals.
4. Engage the Community
- If you find a dog who doesn’t have identification on a collar, look for people in the neighborhood or area where you found the dog. Ask people walking, people doing yard work, kids riding bikes or playing, and especially people walking dogs if they recognize the dog you have found.
- If a dog just got out or is from the neighborhood, nearby people may know where the dog’s home is. So before leaving the area to get the dog scanned for a microchip, see if anyone nearby recognizes the dog.
5. Post Physical & Virtual Flyers
- Create visually appealing “found dog” posters with a clear description and your contact information.
- Post these flyers in prominent locations within the neighborhood and enlist the support of local businesses.
- Additionally, leverage social media platforms and community groups to broadcast information about the found dog. This prevents people from trying to steal lost dogs to resell.
6. Find Help
- If you can’t care for a dog you found, your local humane society or animal control center will be able to take care of the dog. You can still help a lost dog even if you’re unable to care for them yourself.
By following these steps, you can make a significant difference in reuniting a lost dog with its family.
